Machine for breaking in shoes



s.' sEGAL MACHNE FOR BREAKING IN SHOES 'Filed April 7, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVETOR.

F oRNEx'f.

July 9, 1935. v s. sEGAL Zm MACHINE FOR BREAKING IN SHOES Filed April 7, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 30 vices usually have'no substantial effect upon the stand or supporting frame having a swinging head Patented `luly 9, 1935 Y Y i i MACHINE Fon BREAKING IN sHoIjs Appiiatiqn April 7, issaseriai N.`co3,74-i

' 1o claims. (01.12547) The presentinvention relatesrto shoe shaping Women -or children, Vall without the need of comand forming, and'particularly relates to appaplicatedadjustments,=readily becoming disorgan` ratus and mechanisms which are adapted to ized and necessitating the skillful attention of a break-inY new shoes and conform shoes in general'A trained Worker and without the necessity of subr i to the foot of the wearer. jecting'the innerfac'es ofthe soles to subsequentv 5 Inbreaking in shoes it-has been customary to smoothingor secondary forming and/or shaping utilize the wearers foot as a breaking-in instruoperations;` Y v1 y ment with much resultant discomfort and dis- Another object is toprovide a machine of fthetress to the person concerned. Manyshoes recharacterl described whichl the shoe may rbe quire breaking-dn over long periods of time and to formed and vshaped for an extended period of complete the process it is necessary for the Weartime without,V ycontinued manipulation of the maer Vto use them at as frequent intervals and for as chine to prevent slippagefeasing orldisplacement extendedV periods as may be tolerated withoutl ofA the gripping faces, whichV machine may be acute distress, and often as a resultrof this breakreadily set 'into' forming `orY shaping position, 'ing-in process permanent foot ailments or de: locked into suchpositio'nY` and subsequently re- 15 formities arise. y A leasedwith a1 maximum ofj easeA and convenience Some attempt was made to hasten such Vbreal-xby relatively-simple manually controlled actuat-v ing-in processes by placingthe shoes on expanding'arrangem'ents'. 7 ing heads orl forms and/or Vby hammering the Another object is to provide a rugged machine soles; Such expanding devices generally stretch of the character"described'whichwill stand upm the shoe in places, where no'particular relief'is under considerable'- usage Vand rough handling,` needed and moreover frequently disfigure the and lwhich whendisorganized orout of adjustshoe. As` a result of such stretching devices, ment,"may be readily repaired and readjusted by Y creases are often formed on the'vampwhich are the removal and replacement' vof relativelyV few extremely diiiicult to smooth out; theupper of and-inexpensive parts. 1

the shoe is disiigured; and seams and stitches are Otherr objects' areV in partl obvious and in part strained so that the life period of the shoeA is pointed out'hereinafter. Y v shortened and the appearanceof the shoe' is dis- In one embodiment of the present invention,` advantageously affected. These stretching dethe `mechanism or machine is provided with a Cai c.` sole itself, where a great deal or most of the difli which may be latched into position and a verticulty arises. On the other. hand hammering decally adjustable anvil, which `anvil and head vices do not effect satisfactory reshaping or re member may be `both conveniently located at forming of the shoe and both the life 'periodand about the proper Vheightfor theoperator. the appearance of the shoe are also disadvanta'- VThe fanvilmember is vpreferably constructed 35' geously affected; Y Y Y so that it may be readily` replaced by other anvil An object of the presenti-invention is to pro-` members having lclamping portions of different .vide anY inexpensive rugged and readily-operable sizes and shapesl to receive the front portions oi' apparatus for breaking-in shoes, and particularly a wide variety' of shoes,A and it also may-bepro- 10 icr forming or'shaping shoes to the feetrof the`- vided with ledges,grooves` or lipsupon its upper 40 wearenfwhich will not disadvantageously affect surface'to receive and position a Yseries of emthe shape of the shoe, which will not stretch the bossed shaping and forming pressure plates which seams or break the stitch'esrthereof, andwhiclr` are tobepresse'd against the 'inner sole. will not shorten the life period'of the shoe; all l"llthough'fthe anvil or last member may be ver- 15 without need of subjecting'the upper of vthe shoe tically adjusted by anysuitable arrangement'it is to stretching and without necessitating any sub-'1 preferablymanipulated jby a hydrauliccylinder, stantial breaking-in process by the wearer or` desirablyassociated with a lever for manual oppurchaser. Y i erationi In the form shown the lever may be` Another object is to provide a device for shaptelescoped inside ofthe machine when not in use, ing and treating the inner faces of the forward it need only befwithdrawn when the hydraulic depart of soles of shoes to cause them to conform1-to vice is to be actuated, the hydraulic device beingthe shape of the bottom of the foot of thelwearer' `actuated by a, vertically swinging movement of and to render a new shoe immediately comfortable thevlevenUHIn the preferred embodiment thehyfor wear, which device is readily adapted to prac-j draulic cylinder is enclosed and concealed within .itically any size orshape of shoe either for men, the support or stand structure. y

When a hydraulic device is utilized to prevent the cushioning thereof, which will permit loosening of the shoe and slippage between the anvil and the swingable head of the machine, a locking means is provided, either automatically or manually actuated, to hold the anvil or last member rmly in position against the bottom of the head with the front portion of the shoe firmly gripped therebetween. In the form shownthe anvil 4or last member is locked into clamping position by a screw device provided with a hand' knob or wheel.

The elongated head of the machine of the stand so that it might be swung away to permit removal of the shoe andftowardthe an#v vil member after the next shoe to Vbe shaped andV formed has been placed upon the anvil.. `The head is provided with a substantial depending latch which cooperates with a corresponding projecting lip on the stand tohold the head firmly in position against the upward pressure of the. an

vil member.

The contacting surface of the head vis preferablyV provided with a replaceable flat pressure series of diierent shapes and sizes of anvil mem-A bers for correspondingly different sizes and shapes of shoes, and also with a number of.iiat andembossed pressure plates which may be readily placed upon the top of the anvil member. These plates may be provided with suitable positioned and sized embossments. projections and elevations forshaping the shoe as Vmay be, desired-as for example to form depressions inthe sole of the shoe for one or all of the toes,'for boxing the shoes, for smoothing out the inner sole, for ren.

dering the shoe easierto wear for a-person having slightdeformities, as for examplecallouses, bunions, and .bunionettes particularlyA between-theV ball. and the instepkand around the cuboidbone and for generally breaking-in 'new shoes and shaping or forming them to thev wearersfeeti,

In the drawings whichillustrate o ne embodiment of the present invention, v f Y v Y Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine upon its stand; f

2-2 of Fig. 1; and

showing several modifications of the wide variety of the different sizes, shapes and forms of the complementary pressure plates, which .may be ref movably positioned on top of the anvil member.`

1n Figs. 1 and 2 the mhd lo is provides. with abase plate II andV carries at its upper enda frame I2, which is provided with an enclosure orA casing II 3-receiving the hydraulic cylinder I4.; The pistonV I5 of the hydraulic cylinder I4 is actuated by `the handle is which is provided with ari-outer,

knurled gripping surface I1.V Thevhandle I6slides in the block I8 and may be placed in withdrawn.

position as indicated bythe dot and dashlines I9 -whennot-being utilized, thepins and y2I lim-v iting the movement of said handle in-said lblock Provision has been made for. regulating-the displacement of the anvil in a direction towards the head 42 on each effectivey strokeof; the handle Il...

is prefer-I' ably hinged at one end to an upward extension" lthe piston 26 at 21.

To this end the leverage of the handle may be regulated to impart the desired pressures in back of the piston I5. For this purpose the handle includes a plurality of spaced annular grooves Il and these selectively cooperate with a shank 2l connected to and actuated by the manipulator Wheel I8', the shank 2 I being adjustably carried by block I8. It is therefore apparent that the leveragev of the handle may be varied by arranging shank 2If in any one of its several annular grooves.

The block I6 also receives the stud 22 which has VVa head 23 pivotally connected to the link 24 at its innermostv end 25 and also pivotally connected to The piston 25 fits into the cylinder 28 kby which a liquid, such as cil, may be forced into the hydraulic cylinder I4. The

f hydraulic cylinder I4 is provided with a release valvel 29 which is actuated by the knob 30.

The upper portion of the frame I2 is provided withra cylindrical guidey 3 I, which receives the depending shank or stud 32 depending from the last or anvil member 33 shaped complementally to a portion of a shoe.` The lower end 34 of the stud 32 rests upon and contacts with the top of the piston I5 of the hydraulic cylinder I4.

.The -upper portion of the anvil member is shaped to the front portion of the shoe which is to bereceived or placed thereupon. The top of the anvilor last member 33 has a projecting ledge or lip 35 `which'is shaped to receive the replaceable pressure plates 36, and the type more fully shown in Figs. 3 to 12. These plates are each correctlypositioned upon the ledge 35 by the vertically depending lip 31 at their front ends and by the curved downturned portion 38 at their rear ends, curved portion 38 having a depending terminal fitting along the rear slightly inclined vertical end face of ledge 35 of the anvil and cooperating with thel latter to prevent longitudinal displacement of a respective pressure plate placed on the; anvil.

The-upper part of the structure I2 is provided withan upstanding extension 39, the upper portion of which receives the pivot rod or pin 40 formingv aI pivotal connection with the downturnedv end 4I A'ofthe elongated head member 42.

The other end of the head is similarly provided with a pinor rod 43 which pivotally or swingably Y connects the depending link or latch 44 with the Fig. 2 is a side sectional view'upon,V the line head 42, the laterally extending handle carried by the latch servingto enable manipulation of said latch 44. The structure or frame I2 is provided with 'the outward extension or lip 46 overhanging a side thereof, which lip cooperates and interlocks with the concavity 41 in the latch 44 to hold the same firmly in position. For purposes of speciiication, latch 44 may be considered asl a socketorfhousing for removably enclosing overhanging lip 46. The contacting face of the head 48 is provided with'the replaceable pressure resisting lplate 48, which may be readily removed and replaced by loosening the screws 50.

To'lock the anvil member in clamped position, the depending shank32 of the anvil member 33 is provided' Withatapered slot 5I which cooperates with'. the end of the threaded shank 52 having the adjusting wheel or knob 53. The end 54 of the shank 52 may be firmly clamped against the verticallyinclined face of the tapered slot 5I by turning of the knob 53 to prevent movement of the anvil member when it has gripped the sole of the shoe against the complementary clamping plate 49 contacting head 42.

. In Figs. 3 to l2 are shown various shapes and cui? vertically dependinginturned peripheral relatively thin lips or flanges BLfwhich-t alongthelsides and r'ontof the ledge 35 of thelastor-anvil 335 andwhile` the terminal ofV the downwardly* curved o the anvilgasA inA the-case of the pressure"plate -36 thel latter as is .well underbe provided lwitlan integral' enlargement or'boss Figs. 3-10 inclusive.

shown in' Fig-l Zand stood,` plate ist m..

Figs; 3 and 4 show anelevationor projection 55;r

l integral' with the base orfbody', which is partioularly adaptedv to fit orfo'rm slices for persons callouses and b'unionettesor small; the cuboid ,bone or "atftl'ie' meta- Y aiiiicted with -f"I.n Figs. V5 yand Ei'the boss 51 is particularly adapted to Vforni anv indentation for' depression for the large Shoe. y l The velevation ioflligsfl` and 8 isv particularly '7 ana-pred It@ form adepressionA for Van of 'the 'tqes and 7 orfor boxing the shoes;

l ,'Iliezelevationtefof' 9 and 10 `repartic-v ularly"adaptedforgmoldingtheisides of the shoer and-"smo'othing'out` thejinner sole -along the side edgesoi ythe shoe.

Figs,i lland. show modied pressure palate.y

sta'ucture*inV which the pressure platek is .made in two parts. ,Afiiat' member 511 has downturnedA .lips l, which lipsl function'` the'` saniefasA the previously' describedl'lips`- 31, plateii` upon thejledgefvl., y llV and l2 L is provided with a ,removable boss member whichhas an niturnedlipior holdtofhold the pressure o ing .it linV position upon the `side of thefpressure V`The particular bosser. elevation shown' is for shapingV the side 'of .theishoe and also for` plate condensing or ldepressing .the inner sole' at .that point-...

a'body having a, `Widtlfi andlength .substantially co-extensive with the width and length, of the zan'vil, the bodyhavingfa forwardfrelatively yilat'` portion from which integrally projectsmany enlargement having'r'an external relatively smooth,

surface extending.:aboveflthe upper surface o f the @at eenige; The body also includes. a rali 1.2 wardly disposedgdoumwardly curved'` portion integrally-1 connected i with Ythe flat- `front portion,

the Ycurved and fiat; portions having lower i merging surfaces:complementaltothe Vupper surface of the anvil andthe body comprises-theperipheral flange havingV dependingv portions. extendingdownwardly, transversely and-'longitudinally'relative 4tothe .anvil and -adapted-to Viii'fover;v and thelanvil member` itc-bein their lowest posi- -tionsafter operation of thereleasel-valve 29, the d desiredpressure plate is positioned on top of the ledge 35 `ofg said -anvil member andthe shoe is is thenflowered permitted to -fall in position Then lthe handle "20 "is withplaced in position.V rlhe'ihead 42 and the latch eli belowthe lip SQ Ydrawn and Vby a'f'series` of f-rapid reciprocating: i movements, 'the pistony 2B' Vis)actuated v-toforce of the types illustrated in toe in" thein'ner face of thesole ofi the.

I `The plate of Figs;

' n, win befiietedjthat the pressure 51ste femm/.4j y ,the anvil of the types Yillus-` trated in Figs. l. to* linclusive,.eachcomprise liquid into the hydraulic-cylinder |'4`and elevate the *piston |5'and the anvil member 33.-V

AWhen the'v shoe is firmly gripped in position under thefsatisfactory amountV of pressure, the

locking device`53-may then'be screwed into-po` sition vto prevent any release or' downward mo-vement 01"-l th'eanvillmember33.l It will be' noted that upward movement is permitted and additional pressure may be placed upon the shoe by continued manipulation of 'the handle '17.

When the operation has lbeen completed the locking 'member 53 is` unscrewed, and the valve 2 9 is turnedto'permit descent of the anvil, whereupon the latch l'ma'y be removedandthe head memberA 42: may be swung moval of the shoe.-

of the type shown inv away permitting rev 10 The plate 49 being 'fiat will prevent any scar` of the sole of ther If any mistake hasbeenmade, the inside of f the lshoe `maybe-readily smoothed by utilizing' a at -press'ure'plata such Vas the plate 60 of Figs.v l1 andv 12 without-the boss 62 (see, for example, Fig. 2); Y Y ,o

The flat plate 49 of the head-G2 is subjected to considerable pressure and stress and may be bent after a periodlofusage If it is so bent it may be'readily removed by loosening the' screws 50 and a new plate vmay be put into position.

The shoe :forming and shaping apparatus or device of the present'f'invention is particularly advantageous inasmuch as pressure is `applied against thef-insi'de of the is to be shaped or formed, and inasmuch as such `pressurefmay be continued or intensified for a oontinuedperiod depending upon the length of time necessary todo a satisfactory job. a' 'It-is not necessary to use any adjustable or replaceable elements,` which require the utiliza-` tion'ofY holes or grooves uponthe faceofthe4 last or pressure plate, and w-hich would tend tomar `:the inside of the shoe and form a large number of'unnecessaryA and undesirable projections therewithim `l\/ioreover, the'shoe may be readily adjusted 'upon the last or anvil member and maybe slid into" its proper position withoutldan'g'er cf-causing a dis'arrangement or maladjustment of theshaping projections, inasmuch as such` ,shaping 01" tegrall with the forming plate, or are attached thereto vas in'liigs. ll' and l2, will be permanently :heldin position and will not tend'to slip or becomev d isplaced;` v

utilizingv a latplate, instead of a curved or other unevenfsurface on the contacting. face of the head, with the result that-even though substantial' pressures are applied Vtoth'e bottomY ofthe sole of the shoe it will notvbe marred orv defaced. As many `changes could be made in the above cons'truction,and many 'apparently widely different embodiinents'v of this-invention could be devised ,without departingY from thefscope thereof, it is` intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompainyingfrdrawings'shall be interpreted as illustrative rand not in a limiting sense.' f

HavingV Vthus described' my invention what `I claim asf'new anddesire to secureby Letters Patentris: f` fr 1.r In= a'fmachine for breaking in shoes, `the combination Cof," a "supporting frame, a head formingiembossings are `insole Vof the shoe which member' having a clamping member slidable relative to said frame, means to adjust oneofsaid members in respect to the other, pressure means to be removably positioned on said anvil member and adapted to support the object to be processed interposed between; the clamping element displacement of said pressure means relative -t into said guide, and means combination, a support,

to said anvil member.

2. In a machine for breaking in shoes, the combination of, a supporting` frame, a head member having a clamping element, an anvil member slidable relative to said frame, means to adjust one of said members in respect to the other, pressure means to be removably positioned on said anvil member and adapted'to support `the object to be processed interposed between said pressure means and the clamping element of said head member, said supporting frame including a vertical guide and said anvil member having a depending projection to removably to lock said depending projection to prevent downward displacement of the latter, said pressure means being substantially coextensive with the width and length of said anvil member and having a v lower surface substantially complemental t the upper surface of said anvil member and including an arcuately shaped enlargement integral with the body of said pressure means, said pressure means having longitudinally extending integrally connected flanges depending from the sides thereof and cooperating with the sides of said anvil member to prevent transverse displacement of said pressure means relative to said anvil member.

. 3. In a machine for breaking in shoes, the combination of, a supporting frame, a head member havirg a clamping element, an anvil member4 slidable relative to said frame, means to adjust one of said members in respect to the other, pressure means to be removably positioned on said anvil member and adapted to support the object to be processed interposed between said pressure `means and the clamping element of said head member, said supporting frame including a vertical guide and said anvil member having a depending projection to slidably and removably flt into said guide, and said guide being provided with a threaded stud and said projection being provided with a tapered slotA of increasing depth downwardly, said stud and said` slot cooperating to lock said anvil member against downward movement.

4. An apparatus for breaking in shoes, and for shaping and forming them, comprising in a vertically adjustable anvil member with a form shaped to receiveva shoe and with a cylindrical depending shank, a guide on said support to receive said shank,

manually controlled means below said guide tov elevate or lower the lower end of said shank, a pressure plate with an integral elevation on the upper face thereof and with a depending lip around the periphery thereof to nt over said anvil member, and an overhanging upper pressure head pivotally connected to said'support,

element, .an anvil said `head having a flat pressure plate secured to a lower face thereof and having a swingable depending housing for removably interlocking with an overhanging portion of said support.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a one piece pressure plate shaped to contact the inside surface of the forepart of a shoe and adapted to be supported on a complementally shaped anvil; comprising an elongated body having a forwardly disposed relatively flat portion and an integrally connected rearwardly disposed downwardly curved portion, said portions having lower surfaces complemental to the upper surface of said anvil, said flat portion having an externally curved enlargement integral with said body and extending above the upper surface of said flat portion, said body having a width slightly greater than the width of said anvil and having longitudinally extending depending means adapted to removably engage the sides of said anvil to prevent transverse displacement of said plate.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a one piece elongated pressure plate comprising a body having an Vupper surface to support the inner sole portion of the forward part of a shoe, and having a lower surface complemental to the upper surface of an anvil, shaped complemental- 1y to the forward part of said shoe; said body comprising a forwardly disposed relatively at portion and an integrally connected rearwardly disposed downwardly curved portion; said flat portion having a relatively smooth externally Vcurved enlargement integrally connected with said body and extending above the upper surface of said flat portion; said body having a width and length substantially co-extensive with the width and length respectively of said anvil and having longitudinally extending relatively thin depending flanges adapted to straddle and removably engage the sides of said anvil.

'7. As a new article of manufacture, a one piece pressure plate; comprising an elongated body having an upper surface to support the inner sole portion of the forward part of a shoe and a lower surface complemental to an upper surface of an anvil shaped substantially complemental to the forward part of said shoe, said body comprising a forwardly disposed relatively flat portion and an integrally connected downwardly curved portion, said flat portion having a relatively smooth externally curved enlargement integral with said body and having an upper surface extending above the upper surface of said flat portion, said body having a width and length substantially coextensive with the Width and length respectively of said anvil and having longitudinally extending flanges integrally depending from the sides of said body and adapted to removably engage the sides of said anvil.

8. In a machine for breaking in shoes, the combination of, a frame having a pivoted head, a

depending latch swingably connected to said head, a laterally extending lip integral with said frame and overhanging a side wall thereof, an anvil having a depending shank slidably guided by said frame, a relatively flat pressure resisting plate contacting a lower horizontal face of said head and secured thereto, a pressure plate removably mounted on said anvil comprising a body having a width and length substantially coextensive with the width and length of said anvil and including a raised externally curved enlargement-integral with said body and extending above a relatively flat upper surface of d 2,007,814 the latter, said body having spaced longitudinally ing said anvil towards said head jfor changing the shape of a sole of a shoe interposed between said enlargement and said flat pressure plate secured to said head, and a laterally extending handle carriedby said latch.

9. In a machine for breaking in shoes, the combination of, a frame having a pivoted head, a depending latch swingably connected to said head, a laterally extending lip integral withV said frame andoverhanging a side wall thereof; an anvil formedcomplemental to a part of a shoe,

having a. depending shank slidably guided'by said A frame, a relatively flat pressure resisting plate contacting a lower horizontal face of said head and secured thereto, a pressurev plate removably mounted on said anvil comprising a body having a length substantially coextensive with the length of said anvil and a width substantiallycoextensive with the width of said anvil, said body comprising a relatively flatfront portion and an integrally connected downwardly curved rearportion, said portions having merging lower surfaces complemental tothe uppersurface of said anvil, said yatportion having an integral externally curved relatively smooth enlargement having an upper surface extending above the upper surface of said iiat portion, said body having spaced longitudinally' disposed relatively thin flanges integrally depending from the sides of said body` and adapted to straddle andremovably engage Yterlocking with said the sides of the anvil, said latch comprising a housing for removably receiving and interlocking with said lip in the closed position of said head, manually controlled pressure producing means cooperating with said shank for bodily moving said plate removably mounted on said anvil and said anvil towards said head for changing the shape of a sole of a shoe interposed between said enlargement and said pressure plate secured to vsaid head, and a laterally extending handle carried by said latch.

l0. In a machine for breaking in shoes, the

combination of, a frame having a pivoted head, a depending latch swingably connected tosaid head, a laterally extending lip integral with said frame and overhanging a side Wall thereof, an anvil having a dependingshank slidably guided by said frame, a relatively :dat pressure resisting plate contacting a lower horizontal face of said head and secured thereto, a pressure, platev rem0v ably mounted on said anvil comprising a body having a length substantially coextensive with the length of said anvil and a width substantially coextensive with the width of said anvil and including a raised Aexternally curved enlargement integral with said body and extending above a relatively flat upper surface of the latter, said body having spaced longitudinally extending relatively thin integral depending anges adapted to engage the sides of said anvil, said latch comprising a housing for removably receiving and inlip in the closed'position of said head, pressure producingV means for moving said anvil towards said head for changing the shape of a sole of a shoe interposedv between said enlargement and said flat pressure plate secured to said head, and a laterally extending handle carried by said latch. Y

' SAMUEL SEGAL. 

